Apparatus for conversion of oils



Aug. 10 1926.

J. H. ADAMS APPARATUS FDR CONVERSION OF OILS 7 Original Filed Dec. 5, 1917 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug W 9 1mm 1,595,332;

J. H. ADAMS" AlIARATUS FOR CONVERSION OF OILS Qz'iginal Filed Dec. 5, 1917 3 Shts-$heet 2 55 a2 J Z1 Aug. 10 1926,. 3 1,595,332

. J. H. ADAMS APPARATUS FOR donvmnslon OF-OILS 7 Original F iled Dec. 5, 1917 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 w G l \l e7 7/ wwmt-oz 1+.

'clisolosed of my C(PPQlNlilisQ' ilppllcflliioll Elerial l lu 205,528., filed Declo, 1917 which. iii" i all ill yr WW Sl m: ll. Maxim? 191-1. The pres-rentapplication 1o li a a lo ll continuation iii part of no above meal patent. l l

One object of filiis inventioi to; provide y a relatively simple and inexpeosivo ncano for externally applying oil CPilCllflIlQj heals under easy control to oil contained iii tubes and CllZUIlbGISWllllfi lielcl unclei' Sixperalmoopllerio vapor pressures for the purpose of altering their physical and chemical cl'iai'ac teristics to a pl'ecletem'linei'l eirlei'il.

Another oblect within the conimiiplatum of-this invention is to clevisean apparatus which'will not only facilitate the conversio'l'i of heavy 0115, such as kcrooene ilisi'illaloo,

gas oil and. other inexpensive liytliwicarboiio as well as coal tar oils, into ligrhier oils, suoh 'as gasohnes, naphtllas, hen-2o}. and the l1.

noting tlie possibility of undesirable into? turally considerelxwill be of. the greatest possible simplicity.

. Other objects and advantages will lie in part obvious from the annexed itl'awlngs and in part-pointed out in the following aescrlptlon. i

The nvention accordingly consists 1n the features of oonstruotiom combination of ele ments and arrangement of parts which will. be exemplified m the construction heroin-- afler setfort'h, and the scope of the appli cation o'fv whiolx will'lne indicatecl 111 the fol-- lowing claims. invention maybe the more fully nuclei-stood and made. comprehonsiblc toyotliersokilled in ifs relating arts drawings illustrating the preferred adapta "9.," but will also do so under conditions fil'llllj s a W iii owl gm wi l w l al a; llliim .a alwa n olmoiiooieiimsl, mow iaotaci a ma a s? a mom 1 llllllllll col: Ji-oli o yciiimm of ll :2; o r-e'au y ilo ucililc from. lino o no, such imjujiilical ocl. as oi'i'lliolfliail i acopo oi :ln'y ap ie i oll in the. 4 'i are to lie parts of m ap' c. low? comurieirc.ally carrying our.

, of lhe (*lllfl ilil'lfll l tho liigl'i temp (liwiaceme ("may i 3 is a'pai". ml eompm mliaviog a larger l1 (l. vapor miaiing dome and a oloiliiieirl unconverted ill n E ;li.lii1ie "-----IEJ o'lL' 5 is a SEGlLlOIHll tubular coilvei'lci' limit at the lower omlss olllilic L a liquid and "vapor fll'fpfli'fllllflb tog) coil; lig. 6 shows modified form of appam too, as in Fig. ll, Willi a comn'ion header all; llze top of a multi-lubulal converter leading to a liquid aml vapor separating; tlome.

This iiu'i'eiiliim being of aeomparaizively aii'ople nature may be well understood by describing lslie various features thereof in mmjuncoion Wlllllllllm sequence in which the oil will com-so ill-rough aloe various parts.

'Refmrriogoow to Fig. 1, A repreeents a suitable tank which serves as a source of oil. lit will, of courac. lJE undersaoocl that Uois oil supply apparatus may be among-cilia clill'ewheader a am noon doi iio a l; the

out ways but filial shown on lilac drawing action oalzen lcvalzion of a iiiullzi withstanding the compression which may be maintained over the surface of the oil in the converter.

The fluid oil may be admitted into the containing vessel or tank 1, by means of a suitable supply pipe indicated by 2, while at the same time the displaced air may escape through pipe 3, from the top of the tank, or pipe 3., may be connected to a suitable air compressor so that a pressure in excess of atmospheric may be maintained over the surface of oil contained therein to further augment the flow of oil from the tank to the converter 13.

Such supply tank may be provided with a suitable s ight glass gauge 20, in order to ob serve the height of oil therein and a discharge pipe 4, controlled by valve 5, through w ich oil may flow to the converter. The pipe connecting tank 1, with oil preheater H, is providedwith several precision valves 6.

i to properly and precisely govern the flow of oil through the heater H, to the converter B, as shown.

For obvious reasons it is best to heat the oil before it is admitted to the converter B, so that the heat from the furnace 9f the con.- verter may be. conserved for the more important function of cracking, splitting the molecules of or re-arranging them, and rap idly ei'rporizing the oil, and therefore the ,oil heater H, is provided in which the oil may is brought to any desired temperature within the container 7 and tubes 8, by applied heat, the waste heat from the converter furnace 31, the overflow hot oil from the lower art of dome 10 or b an other econom- P It ical means of heating.

The oil heater H, and precision valves (3, are placed in the piping system between the source of supply ofoil in tank 1, andthe converter B, Sothat the flow of oil may be controlled and heated before entering the converter B. y

The figures of the drawings show sovcrul of the many diverse forms which the converter may assume within the contemplation of this invention, and the converter shown in Fig. 1, comprises a chamber 9. of heat cn-v during material and an overlying covered containing vessel, of liquid and vapor separating dome 10, closed at the top, by means of cap 1]. The supply pipes 4 and 12. lead the oil to pipes 13 and 1:1 governed by valves 1-1 and 16, through either one of which oil is admitted to the chamber 9, or lower part of dome 10.

These sections. that is the chamber 9 and dome 10, may be connected with the gauge column 18, on which glass sight gauges 1!), are arranged so that the condition and disposition of the content; of the converter may always be the more. readily apparent and be sus eptible of an intelligent variation by operatingthc'prccision valves (3, for regulating the flow of original oil through pipe 4 and preheater H, into the converter B.

The liquid and vapor dome 10, may also be provided with a glass gauge 21, for comparative observation. At the lower part of the converter B, and connected to the cracking tube or chamber 9, a heavy bottoms and residue chamber 30, is arranged to collect the precipitated carbon and foreign substances thrown down in this apparatus by the converting process and near the lower end of this chamber a suitable drip or draw otl pipe 22, is located and controlled by the valve 23.

The bottom of chamber 30, is closed by a plate 24, which, as necessity requires, may be removed when cleaning this chamber of carbon and other sediment which may accumulate therein.

The closed containing vessel or vapor dome 10, is secured to the heat enduring 0r cracking chamber 9, by means of a suitable interposed flange member 25, which is securely bolted to each of these respective sections. Inasmuch as the vapors rising into and filling the upper part, of the vapor dome 10, may, at any time be so rapidly evolved as to exert an undue pressure 111 excess of the predetermined supelatmospheric vapor pressure under which the apparatus is working. I have arranged an expansion tank 26, on one side of the-dome 10, and a release pop valve 27, in the vapor line 40. directly over the condenser 1), so that any sudden pressure ubovc a given number of pounds per square inch will cause the spring check in the seat of the valve 27, to ri.-e and release the excessive pressure. I

vIt is to be uudcrstood that the fittings are made up as tightly as possible and. therefore, I have llrtlll between the several flanges, cups and plate gaskets oi asbestos and other heal re isting and indestructible materials. so that the possibilty ol' l-aku; -'e may he obviated so far as it will be necessary from a practical standpoint.

A feature of primary importance is the means for externally uppl vin; hcnt of int'cnse or cracking tcmpcrutulcs to the oil \vhile contained in the heat enduring chamber l while the oil is held under superatinosphcric vapor pressures for the purpose of bringing about a conversion of such oil. Preferably this feature is operated by gas and air blast or fuel oil under pressure in: omizcd by steam or compressed air and comprises one or more jets 2H, supplied through pipe 2!), through which a proper mixture of gas and air or oil and steam or compre sed air is forced and ignited to form the necessary elei'ncnts of combustion.

The nozzles of these jets are projected through openings or ports into the furnace end suitable metullic shell 32, as more clear nuances e, W

ly shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, and provided with an exhsustipipel or stack 33, which may lead the heat and spent gases of comlit bustion to and through the preheater" H,

then out through pipe 34b The furnace 31 surrounds the converter intermediate its ends, thus insuring that thelower end or bottoms chciuber shell be maintained rela tively' cool. for the reaction of the heavy residue includingthe greuitated carbon.

This furnace is designed to conserve the greater part ofthe intense host from the several fuel jets 238, for the purpose of meintamingthe Walls out the best enduring chamher 9, at a high temperature of suficient variable intensity While oil is contained Within the chamber in necordancc with the varyingcharacteristicsof the oils which may be treated by and according to my process In the shown form this furnace 31, with its intake pipes 35 and 36', and outlet or exhaust 33, is made up in cylindrical form to enclose the greater part of the cylindrical heet enduring chamber 9 intermediate its ends, and, while this precise form may be varied to conform to the difibrent shapes end designs in which retorts can be'made commercially eveilable for this purpose, the

form shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, will be found verysuitable for converting many classes of petroleum and other hydrocarbon oils.

This furnace 31, and heat endurin cha'm her 9, are especially adapted for t e economicul use of a mixture of gas end air or fuel. oil and air under pressure as an intense heating fuel, andwhilc this unit 18, is but one form of converter or number of such units in series would possess commercial advantages. The gas and air being brought in separately through pipes 35 and 36, become mixed Within the pipe 29, lead ingr to the jets 1 When this combustible mixture is ignited the heat action ithin the furnace 31, may be observed through the sight ports 37', lo-

. calod in the front Wall thereof, and the telntlil perature indicated by the pyroineter 38, located in a central position on the furnace Where the thermal couple may extend into the body ot the generated heat Within the enclosm'c, ,i I

For the preservation of the heat endurchamber ihand'the distribution of heat generated. within the Walls of the furnace 31', the jets 28, are arranged to enter the" ports inl'hc trolls of the furnace at a tangent whereby a circulating heat may be distributed about the exterior Walls of the chamber t), as indicated in Fig. 4, instead of the jets- "iug projected directlyatlocal parts of he cracking chamber 9, with chances of possible destruction in short time This form of intense heater is especiully adapted for Working in the oil sud gas regions Where the cost of natural gas 1s very lOW or the gas manufactured in gas :the form of heater maybe changed t Conform to the available fuel or means of heat generation to carry on the process in ihis apparatus. V y

The oil containing and crackingchamber 9, may be constructed of various lieatfenduring metals, alloys, carbons, graphite, graphitic carbon and other materials known to Withstand a constantund varying rem pcrature, butfor the temperatures and superatmospheric pressures employed in successfully carrying on. my processlin this form of apparatus, the cold or hot drawn seamless steel tubing havingn small per centage of nickel has proven to be the best for this purpose and to havethe greatest enduring qualities when brought to it high or cracking temperature by the application of external heat to it while containing" oil.

This intense externally applied heat effects the contained oil in such a manner as external heat so as to prevent the "spreud,

so to speak, of the heat in a lower degree of intensity through the mass than isnecessary to e ciently crack thcfoil, but of suiflc ent intensity tov cause an evaporation of undue amounts of the oil at a distance from the intensely heated Walls of the cracking chamber 'WlllhOtliZ bringing about a transformation. 1 i

To this end, in the embodiment ofthe alp paratus shown by Fig. 2, I have provided a cylindrical core or slieatli t), of seize designed to fill a large part: ofthe central space ,within the cracking. chamber 9, end to displacc e considerable amount of oil which would otherwise be contained therein, thereby compelling such oil as may be located between this core 39 and the con taining chamber 9, 'to come into more or 7 less direct contact with theintensely heated Walls of the cracking chamber 9.

y This core 39, is supported by the rods 41 and 42, the Whole forming a shaft which by means "oifle bearing in plate'fi l, at the bottom of heavy bottoms chamber 30,;ind. a packed hearing or gland in the Va or dome cap 11;, may be caused to re olve w ion the gears c1 3 and 4A, arranged abovethc crown-ofnithe vapor dome 10, are operated by power. l

A helical collar or worm 4-5, of metal or other suitable material is attached to the periphery of the core 39, but in such a manner as not to directly engage the interior surfaces of the cracking chamber ti. This core cylinder and collar, when revolving. agitates the oil contained within the cracking chamber 9, and causes it to be thrown into more or less close proximity to the intensely heated walls of the chamber for the purpose of cracking. splitting the molecule: of or rc-arranging the series and otherwise converting all or as much of the original oil as maybe possible during the accelerated inoven'ients within and passage through the chamber.

The helical collar l5 has another very important. function in preventing an :uciunulzc tion of particles of carbon. scale- 2 and coke whichtmay adhere to or be deposited upon the interior surfaces or walls of the c 'acking chamber S) during the cracking operawalls whereupon it is permitted to settle or L :ravitatc out of the heating zone and into the rclativ cly cool bottoms chamber troin which it may be drawn oil through the pipe 22 as desired. -In this way an exce sive aw cumulation of carbon on the converter walls is'prevented thereby avoiding the building up of a heat insulating coating whi h soon results in burning out the converter wall. Moreover, the removal of the carbon prevents a progressive accumulation which would tend gradually to choke-the systcm and finally to clog it to each an extent as to interrupt the operation. The helical collar or scraper. therefore. pcrtorma a highly in'iportant function which permits the apparatus to be operated and the process to be carried on continuously.

Frourthis it will be understood that whenever the tiuid to be converted i= admitted to the chamber 9, and contz iining ve'sel lthand brought to the proper and safe level, as' indicated by the dotted line X TQ' in the dome 10. and also indicated in'tho glass gauges 19 and 2l, it is in a posi tion to be operated upon by the externally applied intense heat which will be inaintain-ed within the retort 31, and in close relation to the original oil through the walls of the c 'acking chamber 9, and which, when evolved as vapors. will be constantly and uniformly replaced by i'resh quantities of untreated and non-converted oil. In other words, the oil contained within the channel between the core :39. and chamber a. will be held in place by the head weight of oil contained in the lower part of vapor dome 10. in addition to the supcratmosplieric vapor pressures maintained over the surface of oil. thus preventing the intense heat from too .lent, causing the cracked oil to become immediately vaporized and the uprising of this vapor brings about a furious local agitation within the cracking chamber 9, and the contained oil.

In order to prevent excessive agitation and cracking as known in the present methods oi fractional distillation by particles of oil being projected above the body oi lliiid in liquid and vapor dome 1t), and allowing them to drop back again into the heated mass and thereby causing a deteriorating reaction. perforated batllc plates it) 85 and 47, are located on the rod or shaft and made that so that they occupy a position within the body of oil. as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

It may also be mentioned that owing to the excessive quantity of heat. and owing also to the l'act that much of the heat will radiate at a diminished temp rature into surrounding portion of the oil more distant from the inten ely heated all: of the crack- 95 ing chamber 5). considerable oil may and will be volat ilixed without undergoing conversion, just as illuminating oils and naphthas are boiled and aporizcd without essential conversion in the ordinary process of fractional distillation.

By this apparatus underpressure. however. I am able to reduce the undesirable volatilization without conversion to a minimum. and as a con equence the oils are in a 1 large proportion (frat-lied" or otherwise convcrtcd in character. Oil will be constantly flowing toward and into contact with the heated walls of the cracking chamber 9. to take the place of that already vaporized. 1 This newly admitted oil will in turn be crackcd" and changed in the apparatus into lighter or more volatile products hav ing lower boiling points and specific gravities.

Thus. the complex mixture of oils. known commercially as distillates of bcnziuc. keroi-fcnc, gas and fuel oils, also coal tar oils. may be changed or transformed bv means of this apparatus into a mixture of lighter 120 oils and oily spirits which bear a general resemblance to and have the properties of that which is known as illuminating oil. naphtha. gasolenc, bcnzol, toluol and other low boiling products of the hydrocarbon 125 group.

It may be mentioned also that during this operation. the raw, non-converted oils will be relieved of more or less of the carbon of which they are in part composed, as W8ll.8$ 133' iii) preductii.

it has heeu ()lEQPI'VQtliTliflll apparently only 2].

meweo eome of the foreign euheti'mccs "which it may he. desirahle to eliminate. 'lhiss of course, alters their chemical clmrocter and. converts them from one or more of the products of the hydroci'irhou series into those at lower speciiic gravity and possible dillerent clmractor. The carbon which is removed in this imumi'ir will he in port deposited upon the hot Walls of the cracking chamber fl and sol.

sequently renuiived hy the scraper 4i and in port preci 'liteted in the adjacent oil, being to some. extent held in euepeileiou and to Home extent grm'iti'ititig through the oil toward the heavy hottoms; chemheii' 30, pro-- \ltitil for. it tlCCiUHlllHlIlmL and. from. which it nmy he withdruwu through the pipe inasmuch as the precise degree oft temperature at which the Walls of the cracking chmuher 9, ehouldhe maintained in pruc-- the will largely dcpeucl upon end he varied with particular conditions, such as the com-- position oi the. row oil to he ci'mrerted, it will. he sufficient to state that the teulperw ture will vary from a heat in of that required to merely volatilize the oil held no- (ler Pupoi-titmoephcricwiper pressure to that oi'eullicieut intensity to creel: and transform the heaviest molecules of an oil suhjected to my cracking process referred to in this apparatus; according to the nature of the fillltl to he trotted. i

For practical pin-poses, however when treetiue ouch oils are kerosene (lietillutes, gas oil and other l101i-ViS011S oils :1- tei'ru'ieruture ranging}; from 600 to i l WOLlltl., under eupemtmospheric vapor pressuree not me cooling 200 wounds; to the square iueluhrine about the desired transformation of an original high boiling oil into lower lflt lllillll ll hcu operating; in this; immuer ccrtoiu pert oi the fluid ultimately empoeil comes in direct or close coiotuctwith the ,mu elj heated Wulle oi the. cracking; nether f), for the reason thet'the coutlitiou ii'l ilit lulu somew'lmt remote portioh oi the oil at a lower tei'n'perature than is required for racking the oil. Accordiuely, the vapors pus-ohm" into the dome 10, will. he vcompoFaed out only oi the oil which has: eul'lered u vi-coking? up of its molecules; and depoeition of :1 port oi its earlier: lay the high convert inc; h ath hut will also contain a ecrtoii i. por tion of unchanged original oil in the tori'i'l of vapor. I

'llhcsw mixed vapors ore evolved very rapidly owiuer to the-intense ternpemture oi the cracking chnmher 9 and consequently core ehouhl he exercieerii to keep the oil line in the dome 10. til the proper mark in the gloss eight gauges and not permit it to fall below or approach a line which hordere ou or npprouuhw near to the intensely heated "flllfi 'ot' the crnchin" chou'iber and which cat is eutlicieht to evaporate a cer-- liquid and vapor trapping system C, in which a huille plate 51, is arranged in such a manner he to make it necessary for the light vapors to descend nearly to the bottom of the trap on one side of the plate and rise again on the other before they czin escape through the gooseuecli 4:0, to the condensing upmrutus D. l i

Vapors not light enough to rise in pipe 49, are condensed then conducted to a liquld trap 52, through the pipe 53, and in like manner vaporsnot light enough to rise in the apor trap 50, after descending along the hutlieplate 51, fall to the bottom of trap 50, and the condensate is led through pipe 54- into the receiving tank 55, of overflow liquid collecting apparatus Fiwhich latter is provided with glass sight gauges 56, and a pressure gauge 57, and from which. the liquid oil may he withdrawn and returnedto the supply tau]: 1, by means of the suction pump 58, of apparatus G, aud'the pipe 59, controlled hy' valve i By means of the pump operating mocha nism 6L theoil is conveyed throughpipe 62, in which the check valve 63, is located to relieve the heck pressure,on the pump, and

liuelly the oil is admitted through the topof tool; L as the original hi1 was let in through pipe 2.

The lighter mixed vapors pass from the trap 50, through the gooseneck 4'0, and into a suitable condenser coil of pipe 6+l,'im-

mersed in water in'tnnk 65, forminga port.

at the condensing apparatus D, of Fig. 1.

flhia-i zipptirotus D, is provided with a cold Water supply pipe 66, and an overflow pipe 67, whereby a continuous flow of cold water can he maintained within the tank 65, for the purpose of bringing about a complete condensation of vapors passing through the coils of pipe 64.

Since some otthe vaporized Ollgil'ltllllllconverted oil may tend to condense before reaching the condensing apparatus 1), I profor to connect the bottom of pipe 53, with the liquid trap 52, so that condensate may he led through pipe 68. into pipe 54-. the upper end of which is in turn connected with the 'hottom of vapor trap 50, so that ell condensate notaccumulnted through con-,

(lensingopporotus I), may be returned to tank 1, ufterit is collected in receivine'tank 55, of apparatus F. In-this manner the alreml x couilensed miconrcrtcd oil may be queried into the cracking chomherf) a uin.

t y 7 b Withoht first being mixed with mid separated t'rom the converted condensed oils in apparatus l), by :1 fractionaldistillation method.

After passing through the coil condenser and cooling tank apparatus D, the finid oil passes through pipe 69, into the apparatus E, of which tank 70, provided with glass gauges 71, is the container and from which it can be Withdrawn by means of pipe 72, controlled by valve 73. as shown in Fig. 1.

' The upper part of this reservoir 70. is pro vided with a pressure gauge 74, and a gas Outlet pipe 75, controlled by a needle valve so that the vapor pressure in the system may be accurately controlled in order to keep a predetermined uniform vapor pressure in the system during the process in this ap aratus. or the treatment of certain oils it is necessary to maintain a superatmospheric vapor pressure of one or more atmospheres in the apparatus from the source of supply through to the end of or beyond the condenser in conjunction with the other features of my invention, for thereby I am enabled to retard to a certain extent the over-production of vapors and the volatilization of oil that must necessarily be held back and in check within the cracking; chamber 9, untilas much of the cracking operation can be performed on the contained fluid as experience and practice warrants. Furthermore, the vapor compression in connection with the treatment of certain oils will promote uniformity and certainty in the satisfactory operation of the apparatus and, therefore, the compression in addition to normalatmospheric pressure becomes an important feature in the operation of this apparatus for oil transformation.

Thus, from practical experience. it has been found that a superatn'iospheric vapor pressure maintained over a body of oil contained in the converter retards the vigorous volatilization of the lighter vapors in a desirable manner, assists in the conversion of oil and renders a more uniform flow of product therefrom. On the other hand agreater vapor pressure maintained over a body of oil contained within the converter and throughout the system from the source of supply to the end of or beyond the condenser-when treating and converting high boiling oils helps materially in the process of conversion in this apparatus.

The composite oil withdrawn from tank 70, may either .he returned to the-converter in order to still further convert thev same into lighter products, or it may be subjected to fractional distillation 'or other operations to more or less completely segregate its components, and such components as may not be of the desired quality may then be returned to the converter ,for further treatment.

When treating oils of different gravities. it may be desirable to cause them to flow either upwardly or downwardly through the cracking chamber 9, and for this purpose intake pipes 13 and 15, are provided. When fluid is admitted through the lower part of apparatus B, valve 14 in pipe 13. and valve 7-? in pipe 76, is closed. Valve 16 in pipe 15, and valve 79 in pipe 78, is opened thereby allowing'the oil to flow through pipe 15, into the lower part of the converter. By the continuous method of supply and dis charge, the unconverted oil which has not been driven off in vaporous form flows out through pipe '78, into liquid trap then through pipe 68. into pipe 54 and down into collecting tank 55. \Vith this arrangement, the pipe 78 serves as an overflow for the oil supplied to the converter and niaintain.-.; the oil level therein substantially constant throughout the operation.

ll'hen oil is admitted to the upper part of converter lhthronlrh pipe valve 16 in pipe 15. and valve 79 in pipe T8. is Closed and valve 77 in pipe 78, is opened. The head weight and pressure on the oil in the lower part of vapor dome. 10, causes the oil to How down through cracking chamber 9. and out through pipe 76. It is then forced up through the pipe 76, (Figs. 1 and :2) and over into the liquid trap 5:2, and flow out through pipe 68, into pipe 54, from which it is dis harged into tank 55.

l" or the purpose of determining the prop' cr spced at which the oil should flow through converter 13. a pyrometer 80, is located near the lower external part of the liquid and \apor dome 10. so that when the proper speed of flow has been established this pyrometer will register a. uniform temperature in the oil when it is passing through the converting chamber 9, in an upwardly direction.

For the purpose of maintaining a positive feed oteonti'nuously flowing oil from the supply tank 1. through the preheaier ll. into the converter P, a pump 17, is interposed in the piping system and by closing. valve in pipe -i and opening'valve 82, in pipe 81, and operating this pump a. constant and positive flow of oil will be assured to the converter.

In order to be informed of the temperature of oil being fed from the prcheater H into the converter B, a thermometer is located in the pipe 1'2. leading out from the top of the heater. and in pipe 4-9, leading out from the top of converter B, another thermometer is located so that temperatures of the converted oily vapors may be known.

An emergency gas outlet is provided in the pipe 69, leading from the foot of the condensing apparatus D, and is controlled by valve 83. Such valve. however. is but little used since the more efficient and better located pipe and control valve 75. on the. top of tank 70, will answer about every purpose for properly regulating vapor promote-s within the system.

ImFigB, an enlarged sectional elevation oft-he converter is shown and the described features of the various parts are clearly ilhistratccl. In Fig. 3, a somewhat similar View is shown of a converter Where a. larger liquidand apor dome is employed having overflow pipes 8a located at the lower part of the dome through which overflow hot unconyertedioil may pass into trap tank 52,

through pipe :85. substantially constant "oil level is thereby maintained;

In this form of converter oilis supplied through thelou'er pipe only. The converted vapors-pass oil from the top of dome ll), tln ough pipe 48, to the condenser while partly or wholly unconverted oils will overtlowgthe pipes84 and can he returned to the supply tank 1 for retreatment as be-- fore. 1 v A number of pipesSt, arranged at the bottom of'dome lO will facilitate the rise and escapeof light vapors which may not have hadtinie to separate fromthe oil at the sur face level X--X, due. to its continuous and 25 more for less rapid flow verter.

In Fig. 5, the same principle ofnvertical tubes and externally appliedheatiis carried through the conout in this multitubular converter in which .the chambers 9, are enclosed 'Witllln the tar nace 31. This form of furnace provided with a combustion" chamber 86, into which the elements of combustion are projected by 5 'mcans of burners or jets 87', which elements, 3

asthey ignite and expand, are deflected by the bridge wall 88, before entering the larger furnace 81, through port 89. The waste heat andspent gases from furnace 31, pass out through port 90, into stack 33,,and in their passage, such heat is employed to preheat incou'linimil throughpipe 4', in the coils S.bct'ore being delivered into the upper part of heavy bottoms chamber 30.

As described in the reference to Fig. 1 the oil becoming converted in the tubes 9, rise and the light t-ra'nsfin'mcd vhpors therefrom es:,'ape-from the upper partot liquid and vapordome 10 through pipes 48 and 49, to the: condenser l), u'hilcthe heavier partly or wholly unconverted oils overflow the pipes 84 at the fixed level, and flow through pipe 78, to pipe 51, where they are. trapped in tank 55. and returned to tank l for retreatmcnt together with fresh oil.

in Fig. 6. a modified upper part of the converter and dome are shown Where the upper ends of the chambers 9, taken into a header 91, from which the oil and vapors rise into dome 10, through a neck 92. An inner bottom 93, is arranged near thelower part of this dome '10, and the oil iflOWlILf! up through neck pipe 92, rises to the fixed height of the stand pipes 84, over and down through which it flows intb the cavity or Well 94:, and is led out through pipe 85,

'pretcd as illustrative and treated- The object of this improved dome is to l e-- cilitatc the better separation of converted vapors from unconverted oils andwhich vap0:- may rise'through the stand pipes 84:, as the liquid. overflows andfescapes through pipe +16, to the condenser where, under the vapor pressures in excess of at-mospheric pressure, the condensible' vapors are reduced to condensate or distiila-tes of converted oils. A manhole plate 95, can be attached tot-he top of this dome 10, so that access can be had to the interior pfsuch dome, when necessary, a The above specificall described apparatus may, of course, be mot itied greatly andyet be well within the scope of a correlated sy tem composed of parts adapted to carry out oneor moreot the essential closely related steps of my process, 7

It isjapparent that l-havesueceeded in devising: an apparatus admirably adapted for carrying out my new method of commerci'ally enhancing the quality, quantity and] value of the more abundantly available oils and that the character of theapparatns and ofthe process which it is instrumental in carrying out are both Within theusual manipulative skill of those en'iployed in this art. As many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could he made Without departing from the scope thcreofi it is intended that all.v matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be inter sense:

grunge used in the following; claims; is in tended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention, whiclu 'as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

"WhatI claim is:

1. Apparatus for converting high boiling till not in a limited It is also to-be understood that the lan-- hydrocarbon oil into lower boiling products comprising a supply tank, a furnace, a pin rality of Vertically disposed converter tubes extending through the upper and lower walls of the furnace and heated intermediate their ends 'tc cracking temperatures, a connection from the supply tank to the lower ends of said converter/tubes below the heating Zone. a liquid and vapor separating chamber disposedabove the heating zone and communh catingwit-h the upper ends of said converter tubes and embodying a plurality at upright overflow pipes within the chamber for assisting the liberation of vapo'rs from the oil and maintaining a predetermined oil level therein,' aconnection from the liquid and vapor separating chamber to the supply tank to form a closed circulatory system, means for circulating oil. from said supply tank through the converter tubes in an upward direction and back to the supply tank, and means forremoving from the iquid and vapor separating chamber the evolved vapors liberated therein.

it the converter tubes above the heating zoneand embodying a plu ality of upright overflow pipes for assisting in the separation of the vapors from the liquid and maintaining a predetermined liquid level in said chamher, a connection from the supply tank to the carbon and residue collecting chamber below the heating zone, a connection to the supply tank communicating with the several overflow pipes in said liquid and vapor separating chamber, means for effecting positive circulation of oil from the supply tank through the carbon and residue collecting chamber, the converter tubes and the liquid,

and vapor separating chamber and back to the supply tank, mcaus for maintaining; superatmospherie pressure throughout the system and means for removing from the system the vapors evolved in said converter tubes and separated out in said vapor and liquid separating chamber.

3. Apparatus for converting high boiling hydrocarbon oil into lower boiling products comprising a supply tank; a furnace, a plurality of vertically disposed converter tubes extending through the upper. and lower walls of the furnace and heated intermediate their ends to cracking temperatures, a carbon and residue collecting chamber connected to the lower ends of the converter tubes below the heating zone, a vapor and liquid separating chamber con'nnuni'cating with the upper ends of the converter tubes above the heating zone and embodying a plurality of upright overflow pipes disposed within said chamber for assisting the liberation of vapors from the oil and maintaining a predetermiruul level thereof, means for interconnecting the supply tank, the carbon collecting clunnbcr, the converter tubes and the liquid and vapor separating chamber in a closed circulatory system, means for ell'cctiug a positive circulation of oil through the above recited ele ments. meansfor removing from the vapor and liquid separating chamber the vapors -liberated therein. and means for remo ing carbon and res due from the carbon and residue collecting chamber.

4. Apparatus'for converting high boiling com risin a su 7h tank a furnace a lurality of vertically disposed converter tubes extending through the upper and lower walls of the furnace and heated intermediate their ends to cracking temperatures, a carbon and residue collecting chamber connected to the lower ends of the converter tubes below the heating zone, a vapor and liquid separating chamber directly connected to the upper ends of the converter tubes above the heating zone,= and embodying plurality of interhydrocarbon oil into lower boiling products connected overflow pipes immersed in the' "liquid therein for assisting the liberation of vapors and maintaining a predetermined oil level therein, means for connecting the sup ply tank, the carbon and residue chamber,

the converter tubes and the liquid and vapor se )aratin chamber in a closed eirculator system, means for effecting a positive circulation of Oll through said system, means for removing the evolved vapors liberated from the oil in said liquid and vapor sepa rating chamber and means for maintaining superatmospheric pressure throughout the system.

Apparatus for converting high boiling hydrocarbon oil into lower boiling products comprisin a supply tank, afurnace, a plurality of vertically disposed converter tubes extending through the upper and lower walls of the furnace and heated intermediate their ends to cracking temperatures, a carbon and residue collecting chamber connected to the lower ends of the converter tubes below the heating zone, a header interconnecting the upper ends of the converter tubes above the heating zone, a vapor and liquid separating chamber disposed above and comu'iuuicating with said header and provided with a plurality of upstanding overflow pipes for assisting the liberation of vapors and maintaining a predetermined oil level therein, a connection communicating with said overflow pipes and ctumccted to the supply tank, another connection from the supply tank to the carbon and residue collecting cham er, means in said last connection for effecting a positive circulation of oil from the tank upwardly through the converter tubes, means in. the first connection for lrllll'Ilillg' the unconverted liquid oil from the overflow pipes to said tank, mcai'is for umiutaining super-atmospheric pressure throughout the system and means for removing evolved vapors liberated from the liquid oil in said vapor and liquid separating chamber.

6. Apparatus for converting high boiling livdrorarbon oil into lower boiling products that comprises an longated ictmverter adapted to contu in a body of oil to be cracked, means for crvtcriorly heating the converter comprising ai'urnace and a burner within the furnace and disposed tangentially lltl to the converter wall to eflectzcircumferentlal circulation of the products of combus-' tion around the converter walls to uniformly heat" the oil therein to a crackingtemperature. means for maintaining superatmospheric pressure on the oil in the converter and means for removing the evolved vapors therefrom. i v

7. Apparatus for; converting hlgh boihng hydrocarbon oil into lower boiling productsthat comprises an elongated vertical converter adapted to contain a body of oil to be cracked, a .furnace surrounding said converter and provided with a plurality of dis tributed burners disposed substantially tan-' gential to the converter wallsfor creating a';

circulation of the products of combustion.

around the converter to'heat the oil therein to a cracking temperature, means for maintaining superatmospher'ic pressure upon the 011 under treatment and means for removing the evolved vapors from said converter.

.8. Apparatus for "converting high boiling hydrocarbon oilinto lower boiling products that comprises a vertically disposed elongated converter adapted to contain a body of oil m be cracked, a furnace. enveloping the converter and provided with a plurality of sets of burners in spacedcircur'nferentlal relation arund the furnace, witheach setemlbodyi ng a pliirality (if burners disposed in vapors therefrom.

the converter is uniformly heated to a crack-' ,mg temperature, means for maintaining superatinospherle pressure wltllln the converter and means for removing the evolved converting high boiling 9. Apparatus for h 'drocarbon oil into lower boiling products t at comprises a" vertically disposed elongated converter adapted to contain/a body of oil tolbe cracked,-a furnace enveloping the converter intermediate. its ends. a plurality iofjburners projecting through the walls of saidfurnace in directions substantially tanential to thewallsof the converter for proucing a circumferential circulation of the products of combustion around the converter, means for maintaining superatmospherio pressure within the converter, means for removing carbon and heavy resldue from the converter below the heating zone and means for removing the evolved vapors from y the converter abovethe heating zone. a

a In witness whereof I have hereunto set myh'and this 8th day of June, 1923.

JOSEPH H. ADAMS. 

